DESCRIPTION:
The full-tilt 3rd album by the trio of Jason Martin (guitars, vocals, Moog, songwriting), Eric Campuzano (bass), and former Prayer Chain member Wayne Everett (drums). This was the beginning of Starflyer's collaboration with Gene Eugene, who produced the sessions and contributed organ & vibraphone. It continues their trend of monochromatic album covers, but is the first to actually be titled (as opposed to the Silver & Gold, which were originally not titled). It was also a direct retaliation to Gold's ponderous, plodding navelgazing shoegaze, and was written to be a straightforward kickass rock album. But this is Starflyer, so it still contains 2 subdued loungepop numbers, a breezy Californian surfpop anthem (Harmony), and a track that predicts The Killers & the recent New Wave revival by about a decade (The Hearttaker). The rest is pretty badass no-frills rock, but Jason hardly sings above a meek falsetto, and the entire album is pervaded by this great late-night-drive, Winter-on-the-beachfront mood that would continue through their next two records as well. It will sound underwhelming at first, but you'll soon become addicted to this record and spin it on those lonely midnight commutes home. A classic that may never be generally hailed as such.
Oh, and I tacked on the song "Samson" from the Fell In Love At 22 EP, because, c'mon, it just belongs on this album. So suck it.
(c) & (P) 1997 Tooth & Nail Records
Tracklist:
1. The Voyager
2. The Hearttaker
3. Harmony
4. All You Want Are Things I need
5. You Think You're Radical
6. The Translator
7. You Don't Miss Me
8. The Boulevard
9. Help Me When You're Gone
10. Everyone But Me
11. Samson (bonus)